Automatic door control



Aug. 6, 1957 l J. F. CQOK AUTOMATIC DOOR CONTROL Filed June 2, i955 L. W @JEM 4l u W n n 3 5 um w A. u m u ,L .....v e v w ,n m uw MIM/... |lm m Q MMJ lsa 4 INVENTOILV 512Mb/c7? United States Patent O M AUTOMATIC DOOR CONTROL John F. Cook, Milwaukee, Wis.`

Application June 2, 1955, Serial No. 512,778

3 Claims. (Cl. 263--59) The present invention `relates generally to improvements in automatic door controls, and relates more particularly to improvements in the installation and operation "of a completely automatic electrical control system for-opening and closing garage doors.

`A primary object of the invention is to provide an irnproved automatic control for garage doors, especially of the overhead type, which is simple in construction and adapted for ready installation, and which is moreover highly eicient and safe in operation.

`While various forms of more-or-less automatically operable door .control devices haveheretofore been proposed, none of these have been proven to be completely automatic, and all of the prior systems have met with certain Idifficulties and objections. For example, the most commonly used electrically operated door opening systems in-commercial garages require the manual actuation of control` switches by the garage` attendants in order to effect opening and/or `closingof the doors, thus resulting in inconvenience tothe attendants, high maintenance `cost to the garage `owner due to .the resultant necessary work interruptions, `frequent delays and inetiicient performance as well `as inconvenience to the customer or potential customer when Athe attendants response is` slow, and possible accident which .might :result from human error. ln other systems, the garage door control mechanism is made responsive to short wave frequency with Ymanually operable means such `as apush-button signal transmitting device installed in thevehicle remotely controlling the actuator, Abut such systems are more-or-less confined to family use Idue to the necessity .of selecting and utilizing a particular `wave length and theneed for installing relatively expensive special remotecontrol devices in all of the vehicles whose operation is` desired to control the .door actuator as well as `the vrequired maintenance and adjustment `of the-equipment `and safety hazard due to .possible periodic failure `thereof `and interruptions in the wave length.

`Itis-therefore a more specific object of this invention to `provide a novel and improved completely automatic garage door Vcontrol system which obviates all of the disadvantages and objections heretofore attendant devices Aand-systemsintended for like purposes.

Another `specific object f my invention is to .provide an improved .completely :automatic control for electrically `operated doors which is positive `and exceedingly safe in Still another specific object of the invention is to pro- 2,801,844 Patented Aug. 6, 1957 vide an improved automatic electrical control for garage doors which may be readily installed at relatively low cost for eliicient operation either in existing structures or as an integral part of entirely new installations, regardless of whether it be intended for private or commercial use.

An additional specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved automatically operable door actuating device, which comprises, a reversible electric motor drivingly coupled to the door `to open the same when driven in one direction and to close the same when driven in the opposite direction, means directly responsive to an approaching object for driving the motor in a direction to open the door, and other means directly responsive to an object passing through the doorway for reversing the operation of the motor to close the door only after the doorway is clear.

These and other specific objects and advantages 0f the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the several features constituting the present invention and of the mode of installing and of utilizing automatic door controls embodying the invention may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specication wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the two views.

Fig. l is `a fragmentary perspective view of a garage having an upwardly active so-called overhead door provided with a typical embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a typical schematic wiring diagram and circuit arrangement embodying the improvements.

While the invention has been particularly shown `and described herein as being especially adapted for use in automatically controlling the operation of upwardly acting sectional garage doors of the overhead type and as embodying certain types of switch actuating mechanisms, it is not Idesired or intended to unnecessarily restrict or limit the invention by reason of such specific disclosure, since the improvements could be utilized to advantage in actuating or controlling the operation of other types of doors and the switches could be effectively actuated by other means. It is also contemplated that certain specilic descriptive terms used herein shall be given the broadest possible interpretation consistent with the disclosure.

Referring to the drawing, the reference numeral 5 designates generally a typical garage having the usual door opening or passageway 6 providing `an entrance and exit for vehicles and adapted to be normally closed by a sectional upwardly acting overhead door 7 operable to open and closed position along laterally spaced guideways 8 by the action of a suitable reversible electric motor 9 drivingly coupled thereto as by means of a chain 1i) in a well known manner, the windings 11, 12 (Fig. 2) of the motor 9 being connectedby electrical control circuits, hereinafter described in detail, to a suitable pressure switch 13 pneumatically responsive to changes in ,pressure ina compressible hose 14 or the like located in the driveway 15 somewhat in advance of the door opening 6, and to a suitable photo-electric relay 16 normally receiving a constant beam of light 18 from a light source 17.

Referring particularly to the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 2, the pressure switch 13 has its contacts connectedV `energizing coil `29 of one of the switches 3l) `of the reversing contactorfor the motor 9, the switch 3l) in turn having t one contact connected to the winding 11 of the motor by a conductor 31. The light source 17 is of course connected to a suitable source of electrical energy 32 and normally directs a constant ray or beam of light 18 to the photo-electric relay 16., the switch 27 ofwhich is connected as aforesaid to one of the contacts of the switch 24 with a contact thereof connected by a conductor 33 to the pole 35 of a two pole relay 34, the other pole of which is connected to the line 25 by a conductor 26, and the other switch 36 of the photo-electric relay'16 has one of its contacts also connected by conductors 37, 33 to the pole 35 of the relay 34 and the other pole connected by a conductor 38 to an energizing coil 39 of the switch 40 of the reversing contactor for the motor 9, the switch 40 in turn having one contact connected to the winding 12 of the motor by a conductor 41 with the switches 30, 40 being connected by conductors 42 with one of the main power lines 43, the line 42 having a branch 44 communieating with one contact of one of the switches 45 of a three button wall switch generally designated by the numerals 46 which is also hereinafter more fully described. In addition to being coupled at one end with one contact of the switch 24 through line 28 as described, the energizing coil 29 is coupled at the same end by way of a conductor 47 with one contact of another one of the switches 48 of the switchassemblage 46, the conductor 47 also having a lead 49 to one of the contacts of the switch 36; and the coil 29 is furthermore coupled to the second pole 50 of the two pole relay 34 through conductors 51, 52 past a conventional holding circuit switch 53, the pole 58 in turn being connected with the second contact of the switch 45 by way of a conductor 54. At its other end, the coil 29 is connected by conductors 55, 56 past a limit switch 57 to the other main power line 5S with one end of the coil 39 likewise being connected by a conductor 59 past a limit switch 60 to the line 56, the line 56 also having a lead 61 to the windings 11, 12 of the motor 9 and the contact of the limit switch 60 being con nected by a conductor 62 to the energizing coil 63 of the relay 34. The energizing coil 39 also communicates at one end past a conventional holding switch 64 by way of the conductor 65 with one of the contacts of the switch 48 as well as with one contact of another of the switches 66 of the three button switch assemblage 46, the conductor 65 having a lead 67 to one contact of the switch 27 as shown, and the other contact of the switch 66 communicates with the line 38 by means of a conductor 68, the switch 27 thus supplying power to the holding switch 64 and manual switches 48, 66.

As shown in the drawing, the circuits are inactive as when the door is in closed position, and when a object such as a vehicle enters upon the approach 15 and travels over the hose 14, the pressure switch 13 is actuated and causes the coil 2.3 to be energized thereby dipping the switch 24 to establish contact in the line 28 and energizing the coil 29 which closes the switch 30 and causes the coil 11 of the motor 9 to be energized, thereby actuating the motor in a direction to initially open the door 7 which remains open until the light beam 18 is broken as by an object crossing its path. When the light beam 18 is interrupted by an object passing through the door opening 6, the double pole, double throw -relay 16 is actuated with the switch 27 thereof being thrown to the right to thereby cause the coil 63 in the relay 34 to be energized. Since the limit switch 60 is closed except when the door is fully closed, the circuit is complete and continues to energize the coil 63 in the relay 34 as well as the coil 39 in the reversing contactor for the motor thus causing the doorroperator through motor contacts 40 to start the closing stroke providing that the double pole relay 16 is restored to the position shown in the diagram of Fig. 2, relay 16 being restored to such position only after the vehicle has passed through the photoelectric beam 18. It should here be noted that the relay 34 is ineffective in closing the door 7 while the relay 16 is energized by virtue of the fact that the light beam 18 is interrupted or broken, since the circuit through the switch pole 35 in relay 34 must pass through the switch pole 36 in photoelectric relay 16 in order to complete the circuit to the coil 39. It should also be noted that the relay 34 through the switch pole 50 breaks the circuit to the coil 29 upon energization of the relay 34, thus permitting closing of the door 7 even though the door has not reached its open position. Switch poles 53 and 64 in the reversing contacter for the motor 9 are of the conventional holding circuit type switches normally used in electric operator contactors for doors, and these holding circuit switches 53, 64 are closed when the coils 29, 39 are respectively energized. It should also be noted that the switch pole 35 in the relay 34 acts as a holding circuit switch for the coil 63 until such time as the limit switch 60 opens at the end of the door closing stroke, the limit switches 57, 60 being actuated mechanically, normally by the action of the door to stop the door operator or motor at the ends of the opening and closing stroke.

From the above description, it is believed apparent that the sequence of operations upon actuation of the switch 13 would cause the door 7 to rst fully open, through the circuit 43, 42, 44, 54, 28, 55, 56, 58 whereupon switch 57 is opened. The door then remains open through circuit 43, 42, 61, 56, 58, until the vehicle or other object has broken or interrupted the photo-electric beam 18 causing the closing circuit to be established. However, the closing circuit remains ineffective until the vehicle has passed entirely through the beam to thereupon restore the double pole relay 16 to the position shown in Fig. 2 as hereinabove described, whereupon the door 7 will automatically close through circuit 43, 42, 44, 54, 26, 33, 37, 38, 59, 56, 58 and through circuit 43, 42, 41, 61, 56, 58 and come to rest in closed position. By further study of the circuits and their functions it will be seen that should another vehicle approach the door and actuate the relay 13 while the door is closing, the door 7 would immediately reverse and return to the open position whereupon the above described sequence would be repeated. It is additionally apparent that if any obstruction should break or interrupt the photo electric beam 18 thus actuating the relay 16 while the door is closing, the door 7 would immediately reverse direction and would be returned to open position by the motor 9; or if the door is already in open position, it would be prevented from operating in a closed direction until the obstruction is removed and the beam 18 re established, thus constituting a safety arrangement preventing the door from closing on any person, vehicle or other object in the opening 6.

The three button switch designated generally by the reference numeral 46 is provided for manual control of the door 7 so that it may be opened and closed manually in the regular manner. However, the photo-electric relay 16 still performs its safety function in the event an obstruction should enter the path of the door to interrupt the beam 18 as the door is closing, and it should also be noted that the stop button or lower switch 45 will cause the door 7 to stop in its movement when it is actuated in the conventional manner. The motor 9 is of conventional reversing type used in operating overhead garage doors and is coupled to the door 7 by the chain 10 in a conventional manner; and while one type of motor has been schematically shown, any suitable available type may of course be substituted. However, the operation of the motor 9 is obviously controlled in a cornpletely automatic manner by objects such as vehicles nearing the door opening 6 along the approach or apron 15, the door opening automatically in response to the pressure switch 13 actuated by changes in pressure in the hose 14 and remaining open until such time as the object has passed through the opening 6 and the beam 18 has been re-established. It should also be noted that a similar pressure switch and hose arrangement could be located in the interior of the structure 5 adjacent to the door opening 6 so as to provide for automatic operation of the door in an exit direction. It is also apparent that other types of switches or signaling devices may be utilized in lieu of the hose and pressure switch 13 with the circuits described herein remaining substantially the same.

It should of course be understood that it is not desired or intended to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or precise mode of operation herein shown and described, since various modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.

I claim:

1. An automatically operable door actuating system comprising, a reversible electric motor drivingly coupled to the door for opening the same when driven in one direction and for closing the same when driven in the opposite direction, a pressure switch electrically coupled with said motor through a relay for actuating said motor in a `direction to open the door, pressure actuated means disposed within and extending across the approach to the door and responsive to the weight of an object passing thereover for actuating said switch, means electrically coupled with said motor and with said relay for holding the door in open position, and photo-electric means including a light source directing a constant beam of light to a photo-electric relay so as to be directly responsive to an object passing through the doorway and interrupting said light beam, said photo-electric relay also being electrically coupled with said motor through a two pole relay for reversing the operation of said motor to close the door only after the light beam has been restored and the doorway is clear.

2. An automatically operable door actuating system comprising, a reversible electric motor drivingly coupled to the door for opening the same when driven in one direction and for closing the same when driven in the opposite direction, a pressure switch electrically coupled with said motor through a relay for actuating said motor in a direction to open the door, pressure actuated means disposed within and extending across the approach to the door and responsive to the weight of an object passing thereover for actuating said switch, means including a. two pole relay electrically coupled with. said motor and with said rst mentioned relay for holding the door in open position, and photo-electric meansincluding a light source directing a constant beam of light to a photoelectric relay so as to be directly responsive to an object passing through the doorway and interrupting said light beam, said photo-electric relay also being electrically coupled with said motor through said two pole relay and said irst mentioned relay for reversing the operation of said motor to close the door only after the light beam has been restored and the doorway is clear.

3. An automatically operable door :actuating system comprising, a reversible electric motor drivingly coupled to the door for opening the same when driven in one direc-tion and for closing the same when driven in the opposite direction, a switch electrically coupled with said motor through a relay for actuating said motor in a direction to open the door, means including a two pole relay electrically coupled with said motor and with said rst mentioned relay for holding the door in open position, and photo-electric means including a light source directing a constant beam of light to a photo-electric relay so as to be directly responsive to an object passing through the doorway and interrupting said light beam, said photoelectric relay also being electrically coupled with said motor through said two pole relay and said rst mentioned relay for reversing the operation of said motor to close the door `only after the light beam has been restored and the doorway is clear.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,003,534 Green June 4, 1933 2,029,678 Scroggs Feb. 4, 1936 2,075,000 McCloud Mar. 23, 1937 2,149,177 Miller Feb. 28, 1939 2,173,455 Roby Sept. 19, 1939 2,242,706 Hanson May 20, 1941 2,624,569 Peterson Jan. 6, 1953 2,634,124 Davis Apr. 7, 1953 2,709,583 Gdovichin May 31, 1955 

